The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-02-17
INTERSTATE TRAFFIC.
The Central Traffic Association Passes In
pOrtaut Resolutions

The Central Traffic Association Passes Inn
pOrtsut Resolutions.
CLEVELAND, O., Feb. 9-The executive
committee OF the Central Traffic Associa-
ton met yesterday at the Office of President
Newell. of the Lake Shore, and adopted
very important series Of resolutions. The
meeting had been called for the purpose of
deciding the fate of the organization,
whether under the Interstate Commerce act
II could maintain an existence; if so, in
what form and what its relations to this
recent national legislation were. There
were present John Newell, president; Ad-
olson Hills, assistant president, and ]. T.
r. Mckay, general freight agent of the
Lake Shore; J. n. Mccullough, first vice
president; W. h. Stewart, general freight
agent, and d. s. Gray, of the Penn
sylvania Company: Judge s. Burke,
president; e. M. Beach, general manager,
and Edgar Hill, general freight agent
of the Bee Line; George l.. Blanchard. COM
missioner of the Central Traffic Associa-
ton: George c. Cochran. general freight
agent Of the New York. Pennsylvania &
Ohio; Orland Smith. second vice president
of the Baltimore Il Ohio, and W. j. Spicer,
general manager of the Chicago & Grand
Trunk. Mr.. Newell was chairman of the
meeting Commissioner Blanchard de-
livered an address to the committee out
! lining what he thought should be the policy
of the association in respect to the Inter
state Commerce act. Other addresses fol-
lowed from the various members and the
following resolutions, which embOdy the
sentiment and opinions expressed, were
unanimously adopted:
ResOlced. That this committee recommends
that the Central Traffic Association be con-
tinued with the understanding that its
methods, statistical statements, etc. be re-
vised TO conform TO such railway action under
the Interstate law as shall be finally decided
upon.
ResOlUed, That in the Judgment of this com
mittee the law should be accepted. interpreted
with just regard for the great mutual CONNER
cial, railway and public interests involved gen.
orally in conformity with the definitions of the
law as explained by Senator Cullom in the Sen
ate debate thereon. and this association will
cooperate with the Commissioners under the
Interstate Commerce law in securing, as far as
possible, the benefits OF that bill and in the
faithful observance Of all its provisions.
ReSoIred That this committee meet with the
trunk line executive committee call OF the
latter. and that joint executive committee so
constituted for that purpose, proceed to such
further agreement and recommendations of de-
tail as may be required by the Interpretation Of
the act agreed upon by such executive commit
the association for its final action.
ResOtred, That copies hereof be transmitted
by the secretary of this meeting to the trunk
lines, through their commissioner, and TO the
managers of this association. together with the
full minutes Of this meeting; and the managers
of this association are requested TO convey to
the commissioner, prior TO such joint executive
committee, such queries or views as they desire
considered thcreat.
A reporter met Commissioner Blanchard
after the meeting had adjourned, and in
quircd whether, III his opinion, an efficient
association could be maintained in the face
OF the structures as to pooling which the
Interstate Commerce act presented.
There is 10 doubt of it." replied Mr..
Blanchard. There is a very erroneous
impression with great many people that
the object of the Central Traffic AsSocia-
ton IS to pool the business of it's members.
The real purpose of the association is to
maintain rates, and the pooling of business
is only one of the means adopted to attain
this object. We don't need that means I'M
der this act, for the law itself provides that
rates must be maintained. There is, how
ever, great necessity for an agreement
among the roads as to just what
their rates shall be. The law docs
not prohibit that. The local rates on
the West Shore here will affect the through
rates from Chicago and through rates from
Chicago made by the Lake Shore, will af-
feet the rates of all other lines from Chi
cago. Then the rates at Chicago will affect
the rates at Peoria, st. Louis and every
where else"
And can rates be maintained without
some means Of apportioning the business
from common points among the cOmpeti-
tive linesl"
Undoubtedly. Some members believe
that, under the Interstate Commerce act,
means can be devised whereby the business
may be apportioned without violating the
clause prohibiting pooling, but the general
feeling is not to attempt any thing Of this
kind just now, but to allow each line to keep
all the business it gets"
UNSETTLED IN CHICAGO.
CHICAGO, Feb. 9-Members of the passen-
ger department of the Central Traffic Asso-
citation met yesterday, and had a long dis
cussion as to whether special rates could
be granted under the Interstate Commerce
law. A resolution was offered abrogating
all special rates heretofore granted and re
fusing to grant any more until the law be
correctly interpreted and the information
obtained by commissioners. The object
was, it was claimed, to make the law as
obnoxious as possible, but the resolution
was adopted. 1t was afterwards recon-
sidered, the officials coming TO the conclu-
sion that their proposed action was foolish
and unwise Debate on the question Occu-
pied the entire day and no action was taken
on other matters. Another session will be
held.
MAMMOTH STEAL.